A nineteenth century schoolteacher is arrested for admitting black children to her private school. Based on a true story. [ She Stood Alone credits: Dir: Jack Gold/ Mare Winningham, Ben Cross, Robert Desiderio/ 93 min/ Drama/ Government as Bigot, Voluntarism, Social Tolerance] This film is currently available on YouTube. In 1833, more than a hundred years before National … [Read more...]
Lord Jeff | Film Review
An orphan boy is saved from a criminal gang and reformed by a private charity. [ Lord Jeff credits: Dir: Sam Wood/ Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney, Charles Coburn/ 85 min/ Family, Drama/ Voluntarism/ 1938] No trailer available. Lord Jeff is a delightful, uplifting classic film that also highlights one of the greatest private charities of all time: the “National … [Read more...]
My Name is Bill W. (1989)
Two recovering alcoholics establish Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Based on a true story. [ My Name is Bill W. credits: Dir: Daniel Petrie/ James Woods, Jobeth Williams, James Garner/ 100 min/ Drama, Biography/ Voluntarism] This telling of the founding of AA is a case study in voluntary solutions to social problems. The story begins in the late 1920s, when Wall Street … [Read more...]
The Girl Who Spelled Freedom (1986)
A young girl escapes the killing fields of Cambodia, immigrates to America, and four years later becomes the U.S. national spelling bee champion. Based on a true story. [ The Girl Who Spelled Freedom credits: Dir: Simon Wincer/ Wayne Rogers, Mary Kay Place, Jade Chinn/ 90 min/ Family, Drama, Biography/ Pro-Immigration, Voluntarism, Escape from Socialism, Democide] No trailer … [Read more...]
The Marva Collins Story (1981)
Frustrated with the failure of the public school system, a public school teacher starts her own private school. Based on a true story. [ The Marva Collins Story credits: Dir: Peter Levin/ Cicely Tyson, Morgan Freeman / 100 min/ Drama, Biography/ Government Schools, Incompetent Government, Voluntarism] Marva Collins, a Chicago public school teacher, started “Westside … [Read more...]
All Mine to Give (1956)
A hard-working pioneer family suffers severe hardships that can only be resolved with the help of kindly neighbors. Based on a true story. [ All Mine to Give credits: Dir: Allen Reisner/ Glynis Johns, Cameron Mitchell, Rex Thompson/ 102 min/ Family, Drama/ Individualism, Voluntarism] “This is a film about people in a voluntary society — working, paying their debts, and … [Read more...]
Spitfire (1942)
A British engineer must design the most deadly fighter plane of his time if he is to save his country from Nazi invasion. Based on a true story. [ Spitfire credits: Dir: Leslie Howard/ Leslie Howard, David Niven, Rosamund John/ 118 min/ Drama, Biography/ Britain/ Creator as Hero, Voluntarism] “This is a terrific creator-as-hero story and a heartwarming tribute to R. J. … [Read more...]
Blossoms in the Dust (1941)
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PICTURE Edna Gladney places thousands of orphaned children in homes and fights the government to remove from them the stigma of “illegitimacy.” Based on a true story. [ Blossoms in the Dust credits: Dir: Mervyn LeRoy/ Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Felix Bressart/ 95 min/ Drama, Biography/ Government Enforced Morality, Voluntarism] “This is an … [Read more...]
The Sea Hawk (1940)
Will England hold out against the Spanish Armada? It’s up to her private navy—the Sea Hawks. [ The Sea Hawk credits: Dir: Michael Curtiz/ Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, Flora Robson, Donald Crisp/ 128 min/ Action-Adventure/ Voluntarism] “The Sea Hawk has all the elements of greatness—an interesting story, brilliant acting, clever direction, and some of the … [Read more...]
Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet (1940)
A German doctor develops chemical agents for use against infectious disease. Biographical. [ Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet credits: Dir: William Dieterle/ Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Gordon, Otto Kruger/ 103 min/ Drama, Biography/ Creator as Hero, Anti-Regulation, Voluntarism] "A touching, upbeat story from Hollywood’s golden age." Chances are you’ve never heard of the … [Read more...]